Gold Coast Titans snap up Ryan James as promising front rower signs three year deal

Updated
Fri 24 Jan 2014, 5:40 PM AEDT

Photo

Promising front rower ... The Titans have signed Ryan James (C) up on a new three-year NRL deal.

Ryan Pierse: Getty Images

The Gold Coast Titans have secured highly-rated front rower Ryan James in a new three-year deal with the NRL club.

The 22-year-old has been tipped as a possible New South Wales State of Origin selection this year and the Titans reportedly fought off several rival clubs to keep James at the club until the end of the 2017 season.

James, a local product and seen as a future Titans captain, signed the deal which is reportedly worth $1 million.

James had a breakout 2013 campaign, earning representative honours with New South Wales Country and the Prime Minister's XIII.

His form dipped with a possible State of Origin call-up looming but after being demoted to the Queensland Cup, James responded with a stellar run as the Titans made an unsuccessful run for a finals spot.

Titans coach John Cartwright made it clear re-signing James was a key part of the club's strategy.

"It's great that we've been able to retain a highly sought-after local junior," Cartwright said.

The Titans have plenty of salary cap space following Jamal Idris' departure to Penrith and will now look to securing other off-contract players including Kevin Gordon, Matt Srama and veterans Luke Bailey and Mark Minichiello.